Rockford Marathon returns as half marathon

ROCKFORD — In October, organizers announced that the Rockford Marathon would be suspended due to lack of sponsorship.

On Tuesday, they changed their minds.

Instead of shelving the event, they modified it and announced it will be the Rockford Half Marathon and 10K Run.

“After our October announcement, there has been a groundswell of local support to continue the event,” Hank Zemola said in a press release. He is the founder and CEO of Special Events Management which organizes and produces the event.

Weighing in the decision to scale back was that fact that, in 2013, nearly 80 percent of the 1,200 runners participated in the half marathon and 10K options rather than running in the full marathon.

The new date is Sunday, May 25. It will be a 13.1-mile half marathon and a 10K run along the Rock River.

Registration is now open at www.rockfordhalfmarathon.com. Through April 20, ‘Early Bird’ registration for the half marathon is $55 and registration for the 10K is $35.

Rockford Health System and the SwedishAmerican Health System’s recently opened BetterLife Wellness medical wellness center, are providing sponsorship support. Other sponsors are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Again this year a portion of event proceeds will benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank